Chevrolet Spark vs Datsun Go
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 53% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| Spark | Go | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 99 900 | R 184 600 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 1 746/m | R 3 227/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 73% | 73% |
| Retained after 3 years | 53% | 53% |
| Value after 3 years | R 53 320 | R 98 528 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 46 580 | R 86 072 |
| Value after 5 years | R 39 207 | R 72 448 |
| Our tier | Orphan & discontinued | Orphan & discontinued |
Chevrolet Spark →
Chevrolet's entry car was a fixture of the budget segment, built at the Port Elizabeth plant and sold in three generations including the stripped-out Spark Lite. The Campus special dropped the entry price to R99 900 in 2012. Used examples remain plentiful and cheap to run, though parts now come through aftermarket channels.
Known for: rock-bottom running costs and huge used supply
Datsun Go →
Datsun's Go launched in October 2014 at R89,500, making it one of the cheapest new cars in SA. Early cars were criticised for missing safety kit, with airbags and ABS only arriving in a later update. Pricing had climbed to R184,600 by the time the brand was axed in 2022, and used values are weak.
Known for: rock-bottom pricing and thin safety kit
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Chevrolet Spark or the Datsun Go?
They are close to inseparable: 53% vs 53% retained after three years. Buy on price, spec and the deal you can get, not on resale.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Chevrolet Spark loses about R 46 580 over three years and the Datsun Go loses about R 86 072. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the Chevrolet Spark runs about R 1 746 per month and the Datsun Go about R 3 227, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.